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HealthCommLLC.com Syndicatoren-us1Tue, 03 Mar 2015 13:44:12 -0500Join HCA in Nashville as We Welcome Home Tennessee's Iraq and Afghanistan War VeteransTue, 20 May 2014 11:43:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=756VeteransAtHCAHey Tennesseans! Our men and women are coming home and Nashville is throwing a party.

In a "Welcome Home" parade, veterans and community supporters in Nashville are hosting a celebratory parade and job fair on Flag Day, June 14, 2014 to honor and thank Tennessee's returning Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans.

The parade is open to all veterans and civilians alike and will be the state's first official event thanking our most recent veterans and formally welcoming them home.

Following the parade there will be a ceremony on War Memorial Plaza featuring keynote addresses from both U.S. Congressman Jim Cooper and State Senator and WWII veteran Douglas Henry.

The day will conclude with a veterans job fair hosted by HCA with participating organizations including Walgreens, Verizon Wireless, IBEW Local #429, G4S, UPS and several others.

Also participating will be representatives from the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and Operation Stand Down Nashville (the event's VSO partner).

The goal of the fair is to ensure as many returning and current veterans as possible are hired.

Speaking to that, event organizer Daniel Horwitz said, "No veteran who has fought for this country overseas should ever have to fight for a job after returning home. This event aims to honor Tennessee's Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans for their extraordinary service to this nation, and to ensure that they get the jobs that they need and deserve."

We welcome everyone to come out and celebrate the return of our heroes and participate in the event.

Amanda Bohannon, a critical care unit nurse at Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, Georgia, Branton "Brant" T. Chill, a volunteer at The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma, and Dr. Harry McCoy III, an oncologist and hematologist at LewisGale Hospital – Montgomery in Virginia were presented with awards at a ceremony in Nashville Monday.

The awards have been a tradition at HCA since 1971 to recognize the care spirit and philanthropic work of the late Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr., one of three founders of HCA.

More than 200 honorees were recognized at the facility level for their commitment and dedication to providing outstanding care to our patients. But only three could be selected for the national awards.

Each finalist receives a $5,000 donation to the charity of choice and $5,000 cash goes to both the Amanda and Brant, while Dr. McCoy will receive a $10,000 donation to his charity of choice.

"Every year, the Frist Humanitarian Awards honors three individuals who embody the values of HCA and its founder, Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Sr., for whom the Award is named," said Milton Johnson, HCA president and chief executive officer. "We are proud to recognize Amanda, Brant and Dr. McCoy for their selfless dedication to bettering the lives of others, as our colleagues throughout the HCA system endeavor to do every day."

When Amanda started at Redmond Regional as an administrative assistant nine years ago, she was a single mother of two, including a disabled, terminally-ill daughter. Despite challenges, she reached out to others in need and became active with Make-A-Wish, an organization that made her daughter Marlowe’s dream trip to Disney World come true. Amanda also served as a United Way volunteer and assisted with many hospital-related events. When she lost Marlowe in 2012 after fighting Sanfilippo Syndrome for 14 years, Amanda established The Sweet Cocoon, a foundation working to build a respite house for families with disabled or seriously ill children. She also returned to school, and today is a registered nurse in Redmond Regional’s critical care unit.

Brant is a firefighter, husband and father, in addition to his volunteer role at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center. At the hospital, he holds babies, talks to teens, and tells stories to and plays games with children—anything to make young patients feel less alone. When he heard a long-term OU Medical Center patient was a Superman fan, he bought a costume for the young man. After the 2013 Oklahoma tornadoes, he put in a 48-hour shift as a first responder. The next day, he served a full shift as a volunteer at the hospital. Brant also coordinates an annual food drive for the Spero Project, a local Christian organization that serves under-resourced populations, and he collects gifts and food to distribute during Christmas.

Dr. McCoy has become appreciated throughout the New River Valley over the years for the time and attention he gives his patients. Beyond treating cancer patients medically, Dr. McCoy has devoted decades to helping them and their families cope with the psychological and emotional aspects of the disease. He served as a hospice director for many years, and through his work with the Palliative Care Partnership of the New River Valley, he helps educate healthcare professionals and the community about end-of-life care. In addition to his own practice, Dr. McCoy is a founding member of Sojourn Center, a community based, not-for-profit hospice expected to open this year.

You can get to know the 2013 recipients a little better by checking out three quick videos on HCATodayBlog.com. Please enjoy them.

]]>NewsHCA Working with Veterans in 2014Thu, 24 Apr 2014 11:57:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=746VeteransAtHCALast month the U.S. Department of Defense said the unemployment rate for Iraq- and Afghanistan-veterans dropped in 2013, down to nine percent for those who served on active duty since 2001.

Of total veterans, that number was even better – 6.6 percent.

It's a tough transition, getting back into civilian life and finding your place within a corporate environment or in any civilian workplace. Translating job skill isn't the easiest thing in the world and many employers find it difficult to place veterans.

But there are options for every veteran or active duty service person looking to translate military experience.

And according to the unemployment numbers, success in transitions seems to be picking up.

HCA has made its own strides in putting more of our former service men and women to work in 2013 and moving into 2014 we will continue to do what we can.

Last year we hired a modest 2000 veterans..

This year already we've managed to place about a quarter of that.

And though the majority of roles available with us are clinical in nature, we do have plenty to offer in non-clinical areas – Information Technology, administration and managerial, plant ops, security, financing and accounting, among several others.

We owe a lot of our hiring success to the efforts of our recruiters who attended several job fairs throughout the country in 2013 and we hope for the same success this year.

You can follow what's going on and see when we will be in your area by visiting the events page on this site.

We operate in twenty states across the country in some of the top cities in the nation and we would love the opportunity to speak with you.

There is also a mentor program at HCA that can help you adapt to our company culture and overcome any adversities. Currently there are 50 mentors in the program, all of whom are veterans themselves.

Part of the reason that HCA hopes to hire more veterans is because we appreciate everything you do and have done for our country by serving and we want pay that back by helping you find a home within the HCA family.

If you would like to see what HCA has to offer you right now, please visit our job search at HCA.jobs.

This is a free employment summit and career forum on Fort Campbell for all transitioning service men and women, veterans and military spouses.

Last year, HCA was fortunate enough to place more than 2000 veterans within our organization. This year already we’ve enlisted nearly 600.

With more than 10,000 clinical and non-clinical roles available, you will find the best opportunity to match to your skills.

We have hundreds of facilities located across the country, in some of the top cities in the nation. That includes eight of the top ten cities rated best for veterans, and we can provide relocation services to place you where you need to be. Our relocation services allow you to manage your career and fulfill your military obligations without compromising your employment status.

So join us, noon to 4 PM for this free event in the Welcome Home Center in Hanger 3 on Fort Campbell April 23, 2014.

Spouses: There is a Military Spouse Employment Workshop available to you 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM. Learn how to leverage the skills and experiences you've gained from military life to maximize your resume, strengthen your existing networks and be job-search ready for future moves.

]]>EventsHCA On a Five Year Run as One of Ethisphere's Most Ethical CompaniesThu, 20 Mar 2014 11:21:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=734VeteransAtHCAWe've done it again! Ethisphere Institute has named HCA one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the fifth consecutive year.

Ethisphere is an independent research center that promotes best practices and thought leadership in corporate ethics and governance. The World's Most Ethical Company assessment is based upon the Ethisphere Institute’s Ethics Quotient™ framework, and scores are generated in five key categories:

Ethics and compliance program.

Reputation, leadership and innovation.

Governance.

Corporate citizenship and responsibility.

Culture of ethics.

Of the 144 organizations to make the list, HCA is one of only eight honored in the healthcare industry.

"Being named one of Ethisphere's World’s Most Ethical Companies is recognition for our more than 200,000 employees because the rigorous selection process looks at organizations' day-to-day operations," said Alan Yuspeh, HCA’s senior vice president and chief ethics and compliance officer. "This achievement is a source of pride for all of us at HCA because it is a reflection of our values of compassion, respect and integrity."

And while we've been long-known as a leader in ethics and compliance, serving as a model for many others, you probably weren't aware of the strides we've been making in the eco-friendly and sustainable markets. In fact, HCA is leading the way in environmental practices among healthcare companies.

In addition to our recycling efforts, we've installed solar and geothermal energy sources at facilities and helped lead efforts to create standardized environmental questions for healthcare purchases. We are also a member of the Practice GreenHealth and a charter member of the Healthier Hospitals Initiative, two organizations that champion eco-friendly practices in healthcare.

There is also our role in pioneering improved charity care and an uninsured discount policy, two efforts other hospitals throughout the country have been emulating.

Plus, we're the first providers to make detailed pricing information available to the public and provide extensive health care to those who are unable to pay.

Through approximately $22 million in grants since 2009, the HCA Foundation has actively supported other companies that promote health and well-being, childhood and youth development and those who foster arts.

These efforts are why Ethisphere recognizes us year after year.

"HCA joins an exclusive community committed to driving performance through leading business practices," Timothy Erblich, Ethisphere's CEO said. "We congratulate everyone at HCA for this extraordinary achievement."

]]>NewsOn This Veterans Day, to the Men and Women Who ServedMon, 11 Nov 2013 16:03:24 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=688VeteransAtHCATo the men and women who served our country with honor and integrity in defense of our Constitution and the American people, to those who sacrificed their own safety to protect our nation and keep us secure in our freedoms, for your loyalty and dedication to the cause of liberty, we at HCA salute you, warriors, on this Veterans Day and extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for your service and commitment. Thank you.]]>VeteransJoin HCA at the Fort Sam Houston Military Spouse Job Fair &ndash; Oct 24Fri, 18 Oct 2013 11:07:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=643VeteransAtHCAHCA is proud to participate in the Fort Sam Houston Military Spouse Hiring Fair and Career Forum and encourages all military spouses seeking a career in healthcare to visit us.

HCA understands how the mobile setting of a military family presents unique challenges for military spouses struggling with unemployment and underemployment and we provide all the tools necessary to maintain mobile employment within the United States.

With hundreds of facilities across twenty states coast to coast, HCA has opportunity in many clinical and non-clinical roles.

And with the help of our relocation assistance services, you can maintain lasting employment with HCA no matter where you and your family find yourselves.

This hiring fair is sponsored by USAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hiring Our Heroes program.

This is a one-of-a-kind free event open to spouses of active duty, Guard, Reserve, veteran and surviving spouses. However, all veterans, active duty and Guard and Reserve members are welcome.

The event will be held at the Military and Family Readiness Center, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

His son recovered from his injuries, but Michael couldn't get past what he saw at the hospital.

In an interview with CNN, Michael said, "You see this stuff in movies, but I was watching it happen. There were so many casualties coming in -- busloads of them."

His heartbreak was not from the multitude of injuries he witnessed, but from the lack of family support he noticed, which many of the veterans at Walter Reed are in need of.

"We have a tight, cohesive family. Not all of them do," Michael Conklin, 59, told CNN. "Some of them don't have anybody to come home to…"

This prompted Michael to start a scholarship program – the Sentinels of Freedom – to support disabled veterans and help them become self-sufficient. Since 2003, his organization has helped more than 100 veterans with housing, education, jobs – whatever they need to adapt to their new lives.

"Every one of them is different," Conklin said. "Some will need service dogs, guide dogs, housing assistance, special equipment put through the house, drivers."

Hien Tran, 33, was injured by an improvised explosive device five years ago in Iraq, and he spent 15 months at Walter Reed. He lost his right eye and had a titanium rod placed in his leg, and he said he didn't have much hope for the future.

But through Conklin's program, Tran received more than $60,000 for a vehicle, housing assistance, furniture and household goods.

He also received valuable mentorship and advice that has helped him make his engineering and building firm successful. Tran is now paying it forward by hiring other veterans.

"I think (for) every wounded veteran, every disabled veteran out there, the drive is now double of what it was before," Tran said. "Because you want to be seen as normal. You want to be successful."

Tran has been thankful for Conklin's personal guidance along the way.

"Mr. Conklin's helped me build my business," he said. "I go back to Mr. Conklin and say, 'Hey, this is what I want to do' . . . and he gives me his input."

]]>InspirationalAfter 31 Years, Veteran Completes 58,282-Mile Run in Honor of Fallen Friends, VeteransTue, 08 Oct 2013 10:33:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=631VeteransAtHCAOn Friday, September 20, 2013, National POW/MIA Day, Mike Bowen logged the final 4-mile stretch of a 58,282-mile run, one mile for every fallen Veteran named on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

"It’s been a life-long mission.... It’s been great for me, mentally and physically,” he told ABC News.

The idea came to him after a visit to "the Wall" in 1982. Thirty-one years later, it's mission complete at that very spot.

Bowen, a veteran himself, didn't have to serve in Vietnam, he was stationed in Germany. But he lost eight friends to the war. And this added a personal note to his mission.

"Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another," Bowen said. "That’s what we do – we make sure that the guys coming home – whether they’re alive or dead or wounded – will be treated with dignity and respect."

Since starting, he's run in more than 50 marathons, 26 road races and logged thousands of personal miles in the neighborhood park where he is known as the "flagman" for the POW/MIA flag he carries during his runs.

Particularly inspiring about Mike's story is he kept to his mission even after a battle with cancer.

"… I just continued to stay in shape the best I could," Bowen said. "As I got stronger, I finished my chemo and radiation, I got back in shape, and finished my mission. It's past; I'm a survivor and I'm happy to be alive."

“Carry on, brother. You done good,” said Delbert Erwin, president of Chapter 175 of Vietnam Veterans of America, which sponsors Bowen’s mission. “He’s a heck of an inspiration to a lot of people. For him to accomplish this mission, I have no words that can describe it–other than awesome.”

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]]>InspirationalThe Woman's Hospital of Texas Recognized for Taking Care of Women VeteransTue, 24 Sep 2013 16:34:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=615VeteransAtHCAAt its national convention in August this year, the American Legion recognized The Woman's Hospital of Texas for its support of veterans in working with the Catholic Charities Lotus Project for Women Veterans.

The Lotus Project, a non-profit United Way affiliate, provides a comprehensive network of social services aimed at promoting and facilitating self-sufficiency to veterans in the Houston area who return from service and may suffer from trauma, separation anxiety from their children, PTSD and homelessness.

Donations from the American Legion were presented at a reception following a tour of the HCA-affiliate facility, which included visits to 20 veterans and their children, all of whom have received care at The Woman's Hospital.

Dr. Hunter Hammill, a Woman’s Hospital physician, was instrumental in bringing Catholic Charities’ Lotus Project for Women to Woman’s Hospital after meeting Olivia Bush, the Program Coordinator. "As an obstetrician, I worked at the VA Hospital clinic at Los Angeles, California, for Gynecology, over 35 years ago. Practicing in Houston and currently being in the U.S Army with the CSH (Combat Support Hospital) post-deployment from Afghanistan, I feel veterans should be first with their appointments. Since the VA at this time is not doing obstetrics, I am happy to work with the Lotus Project."

Among the issues facing returning veterans is sexual assault by military officers during time of service.

"There are a number of women who have undergone abuse in the military, which is now under investigation by the U.S. Congress. Many of our clients face barriers in the transition after military service when they have to deal with the trauma and other issues that lead to homelessness. We help provide apartments, counseling and job training to get the women and their families back on track," Bush said.

The Woman’s Hospital CEO, Linda Russell added, "These women leave their families to fight for our country and when they come home, they have historically had trouble finding the care and support they need. We are happy to provide them with that support and are honored that the American Legion chose to recognize us for taking care of these important women."

]]>VeteransHCA To Participate In Several Paychecks for Patriots Hiring Fairs October 17Tue, 17 Sep 2013 11:22:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=607VeteransAtHCAPartnering with the Tennessee Department of Labor, the Georgia Department of Labor, Dollar General and other prominent employers, HCA will participate in several veteran hiring fairs under the banner "Paychecks for Patriots" on October 17, 2013.

Paychecks for Patriots is an initiative to recruit active and former military personnel and their spouses for employment in the civilian workforce.

HCA is proud to be associated with this multi-state event as we continue to fill more than 8,000 clinical and non-clinical roles in our network of affiliate facilities across 20 states, coast to coast.

Our recruiters can be found at the following locations during this one-day event:

]]>EventsJoin HCA at the San Antonio Veteran Job Fair &ndash; September 12Fri, 30 Aug 2013 11:13:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=564VeteransAtHCAHCA invites all veterans and military spouses to join us for the upcoming RecruitMilitary job fair at the Norris Conference Centers in San Antonio, Texas, September 12, 2013.

Already this year, HCA has hired more than 1,000 veterans. The numbers include nearly 450 nursing roles and patient care support personnel, 233 clinical specialists and technicians and more than 300 business operation and non-clinical roles.

HCA has nearly 8,000 openings available across its network of affiliate hospitals, outpatient centers and physician and business offices that span the country in some of the top cities, coast to coast.

These positions are open to all veterans and spouses of veterans.

The San Antonio event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to all job seekers.

The award recognizes the leadership of David and Danny, both prior military themselves, for going above and beyond the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

Service in the Guard and Reserve is voluntary and the patriotic men and women who volunteer train to respond to the country's needs whenever called upon.

Twin Cities Hospital recognizes and honors USERRA with all applicable tools managers and supervisors require to effectively support Guard and Reserve employees.

Across HCA, the values and unique skills all service members bring to the workforce are highly respected and appreciated. HCA and Twin Cities welcome all opportunities to employ Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.

]]>VeteransJoin HCA at the Miami Veteran Job FairFri, 23 Aug 2013 11:19:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=578VeteransAtHCAHCA invites all veterans and military spouses to join us for the upcoming RecruitMilitary job fair at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida, August 29, 2013.

So far this year, HCA has hired more than 1,000 veterans. In that number are several Junior Military Officers, hired for the value they bring with their extensive supervisory/management experience and training.

Many of positions are in non-clinical roles. And through its partnership with ACP, HCA has recently matched 50 mentors with veterans to help them find their place in the civilian workforce no matter the role they seek within the company.

There are nearly 8,000 openings across our network of affiliate hospitals, outpatient centers and physician and business offices spanning the country in some of the top cities, coast to coast.

And the opportunities continue to grow!

Positions are open to all active duty, veterans and spouses of military personnel.

The Miami event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to all job seekers.

]]>EventsHCA to Sponsor Nashville Veteran Job Fair &ndash; August 22Tue, 13 Aug 2013 11:18:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=570VeteransAtHCAHCA invites all veterans and military spouses to join us for the upcoming RecruitMilitary job fair, which we will be hosting, at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee, August 22, 2013.

HCA is well on its way to exceeding the 1,500 positions we have reserved for veterans and military spouses in 2013. Already this year, we've brought on more than 1,000, with many of those in non-clinical roles.

HCA has more than 8,000 opportunities for employment across its network of affiliate hospitals, outpatient centers and physician and business offices that span the country in some of the top cities of America, coast to coast.

These positions are open to all veterans and spouses of veterans.

The Nashville event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to all job seekers.

]]>EventsSupporting the Veterans in Our RanksWed, 07 Aug 2013 11:36:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=566VeteransAtHCAThousands of veterans and military spouses serve roles at HCA, each with their own story on the challenges of juggling military life with civilian life. YOU Magazine, HCA's employee magazine, explores the lives of several of the military personnel and their family members in our ranks and the challenges that face them in balancing two careers.

HCA supports the veterans, active duty and military spouses in our employment on all levels by providing the tools and resources they need to make any transition while maintaining employment, no matter the case, whether they are entering the civilian workforce for the first time, taking extended absences due to deployment or merely relocating.

]]>VeteransParkridge East Hospital Honors Employees for Military ServiceThu, 01 Aug 2013 10:13:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=555VeteransAtHCAParkridge East Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, held a special servicemen's luncheon this month to honor its military veteran employees. Veterans at Parkridge East comprise several branches of military service.

The group was commended for both their service to our country and their contributions to the hospital.

The hospital also presented a plaque honoring the veterans that will be displayed in the hospital's main lobby.

Parkridge East CEO Jarrett Millsaps, a Navy veteran himself, said of these fine service members, "These individuals’ work ethic and commitment to excellence is unmatched. We are fortunate to have them as part of the Parkridge East family and we are proud to honor them for their service to our country."

HCA continues to honor former members of the armed forces with opportunities in a wide range of positions across our family of hospitals, outpatient facilities and business operations in locations that extend coast to coast.

We attend several hiring fairs a year in many of the top cities across the nation and seek veterans for their skills and dedication.

So far this year we have hired nearly 1,000 veterans. More than 450 were hired for nursing roles and patient care support, 233 as clinical specialists and technicians, and the remaining 300 filled non-clinical roles.

If you are a veteran seeking a career in healthcare, whether in a clinical or non-clinical role, HCA can help you make the transition.

The Hiring Our Heroes program was launched by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the spring of 2011 in a nationwide effort to not only help veterans, transitioning military and military spouses find employment in the civilian arena, but to also bring awareness to the issue that these folks are in need of opportunity to transition.

Since its inception, Hiring Our Heroes has helped more than 20,000 veterans and military spouses find jobs by hosting hundreds of hiring fairs across the country.

Now in its third year, the program is developing resources to complement these hiring fairs that better address the systemic issues facing veterans, namely translating skills acquired in the military to the private sector.

This is a resume-building tool designed in cooperation by HoH, Toyota and Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Dakota Meyer to capture the totality of a veteran's/spouse's experience – including awards, deployments and military schooling – and to put that experience into marketable skills in the civilian workforce.

If you need assistance preparing a resume for your job posting or interview, we suggest using the resume building tool on the US Chamber of Commerce's Hiring Our Heroes website. The tool formats your information into a professional looking resume and provides you with a copy along with a business card in PDF and Word document formats.

]]>VeteransJoin HCA at the Upcoming Dallas-Ft Worth Area Veteran Job FairFri, 12 Jul 2013 11:21:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=541VeteransAtHCAHCA invites all veterans and military spouses to join us for the upcoming RecruitMilitary job fair in the Grand Ballroom of the The Hurst Conference Center in Hurst, Texas, July 18.

HCA has nearly 8,000 openings available to veterans and spouses and has pledged to reserve 20 percent of openings this year specifically for veterans and spouses of veterans.

As a team-oriented organization ourselves, we respect the fact that military personnel are well-trained to work as a team and possess critical skills – discipline, responsibility, respect and an unparalleled work ethic – for organizational success.

Part of the Chamber of Commerce's "Hiring Our Heroes" program, HCA has advocated roles for veterans in the civilian workforce by attending job fairs across the country seeking both veteran and active-military spouse hires for positions that meet their qualifications.

]]>EventsHCA Will Attend The Hiring Our Heroes Event In PasadenaWed, 26 Jun 2013 11:20:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=530VeteransAtHCAJoin HCA at the American Legion Post 521 in Pasadena, Texas, for the July 24 Hiring Our Heroes event. The event is open to all job seekers, active duty, Guard and Reserve and military and veteran spouses. This is a one-of-a-kind FREE hiring fair! Register to attend here.

The employment workshop will consist of a classroom session beginning one hour prior to the start of the hiring fair, followed by General Electric's own veteran employees conducting one-on-one mentoring sessions with all pre-registered participants. Mentoring sessions focus on resume building, resume writing, and interviewing techniques for all job-seeking veterans’ and active service member participants, and military spouses.

G.E., The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Department of Labor Veterans and Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS), the Texas Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, The American Legion, NBC News and other local partners are conducting this hiring event.

]]>EventsHCA Partners With ACP To Find Mentors For Veteran HiresFri, 21 Jun 2013 10:17:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=529VeteransAtHCAAs the largest healthcare service provider in the nation, HCA is constantly growing. That means plenty of opportunity for veterans, Reservists and National Guardsmen entering the private sector.

HCA understands how making the transition from military to civilian life or even maintaining a balance between the two can be a struggle.

That's why we've joined with American Corporate Partners (ACP) to help active-duty veterans achieve their professional goals through ACP's Veteran Mentoring Program.

The national program finds professionals who can provide support to veteran protégés who require guidance in their pursuit of a professional career.

Any veteran who has served on active duty since 2001 is eligible for mentorship.

What Does A Mentorship Involve?

A mentorship is a yearlong one-on-one relationship between a professional (mentor) and a veteran (protégé). Its focus is to foster the protégé's personal growth and long-term professional development.

The role of the mentor is to help clarify the strengths of the protégé seeking a senior role in line with his or her experience or to offer guidance in pursuing an entirely new path.

What's unique about these relationships is how they become beneficial exchanges for both mentor and protégé.

The protégé gains invaluable insight and advice into managing professional relationships and a work-life balance, while the mentor refines leadership and coaching skills by learning what issues face a protégé and translating that into how one can best navigate future issues toward a rewarding career.

Who Are The Protégés?

Protégés come from a variety of military backgrounds.

Nearly 70% are enlisted with an average age of thirty-five, many of whom have been on active duty since 2001.

Some joined straight out of high school and are first-timers in the civilian job market, while others are Reservists and National Guardsmen trying to balance military and civilian careers.

This diversity of backgrounds means an equal number of challenges to overcome.

Some will struggle to translate their skills into something marketable while others may know exactly where they want to end up.

The program's mission is to be aware of these challenges and make the best effort to help each protégé overcome any struggle that gets in the way.

HCA's Role in the ACP Veteran Mentorship Program

HCA's membership into the program enables ACP to serve a greater number of returning servicemen nationwide while providing HCA experienced personnel to fill its clinical and non-clinical roles across the country.

HCA has already committed 18% of its available jobs this year to hiring veterans.

Providing those hires the opportunity to pair with a mentor increases the chance of a successful career for every veteran that joins the HCA family.

We believe that veterans are an essential pipeline to placing experienced talent in healthcare roles.

But HCA is more than just health care.

While many of our positions are clinical, HCA has a wide variety of non-clinical positions where veterans can pursue rewarding careers.

We are proud to be able to extend these roles to our veterans and we are even prouder to be part of the ACP Veteran Mentoring Program to ensure those who do join us stay with us.

Photo: HCA's Sheila Stern, Director of Executive Development meets with Active Duty Army members that will transitioning out of the Service in the next few months.

]]>VeteransHCA Makes Computerworld's List of 100 Best Places to Work in IT Fifth Consecutive YearMon, 17 Jun 2013 12:38:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=526VeteransAtHCAFor a fifth consecutive year HCA's IT&S department has earned recognition by Computerworld magazine as one of the 100 Best Places to Work for information technology professionals. HCA ranked 42 of the 100 companies selected.

"This distinction is recognition that HCA is a great place to work, not only for nearly 4,000 IT professionals, but for all 204,000 HCA employees across the country," said Marty Paslick, HCA's senior vice president and chief information officer.

]]>NewsWounded Warrior Brian Sellers Follows Passion To Help Others At HCAWed, 03 Apr 2013 16:09:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=495VeteransAtHCABrian Sellers is not your ordinary RN. The former Marine was set to become a police officer after being told that profession would be his only worthy option once he left the military. But after holding a position as a nursing assistant while studying to earn his degree in criminology he realized law enforcement wasn't his path; health care was.

Thanks to the quick actions of his fellow Marines he survived. Still, it took several surgeries and as many months of rehab for him to fully recover.

That experience, with what he learned while at North Florida Regional Hospital as a Patient Care Representative, left him with the desire to help others suffering medical emergencies.

In the Wounded Warrior piece, Brian says, "I felt a calling."

It was a calling to make a career out of helping others.

Brian continues on Wounded Warrior saying, "As I got closer to entering the police academy, I quit my job at the hospital. But I found myself missing the type of environment in which I could help other people who were injured. So a week before I was to start the police academy, I decided that was not what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to go back into the medical field so I could help other people."

After returning to school to earn his degree in nursing, Brian is now a Registered Nurse with North Florida and is following his passion to help and heal others in need.

]]>InspirationalHCA Recognized By Computerworld As Honors Laureate Three Years RunningWed, 27 Mar 2013 13:25:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=485VeteransAtHCAFor the third year in a row, HCA has been named as a Laureate in IDG's Computerworld Honors Program. The 2013 honor comes from the Cancer Navigation Solution developed jointly by IT&S and Sarah Cannon, HCA's Cancer Service Line.

By tracking progress, providing checklists, facilitating communication and producing reminders, the system becomes a vital documentation tool in the expansion of capabilities and patient outcome success.

"We are pleased with the success of the Cancer Navigation Solution and the service it provides to the patients who trust their care to HCA facilities. As the newly formed cancer service line of HCA, Sarah Cannon is committed to advancing science and transforming care. The Cancer Navigation Solution and solutions like it allow us to uphold this important mission by using technology and process to produce valuable, appreciated services to our physicians and patients so that people can receive successful, coordinated, effective cancer treatment services," said Andy Corts, CIO of Sarah Cannon.

Due to its success in the first twenty of HCA's hospitals, there are plans to deploy the program in 140 other HCA facilities by the end of the year.

In addition to cancer support, the navigator has been useful in other programmatic initiatives at HCA, such as the market breast conference.

"The market breast conference is a monthly gathering of many healthcare professionals, coming together under the leadership of Sarah Cannon physicians, to openly discuss and improve the care and treatment for women struggling with breast cancer. The conference is exceptional and also improves physician engagement across the market," said Doug Ardoin, MD, CMO TriStar Division.

Prior to the Cancer Navigation System, HCA received honors from Computerworld for a management and information application related to Sarah Cannon clinical trials and a database that assisted HCA with routing financial and other assistance to employees victimized by the Middle Tennessee flood in 2010.

HCA will be presented with a medallion inscribed with the Program's mission, "A Search for New Heroes", at the Computerworld Honors Laureate Ceremony and Awards Gala on June 3, 2013.

]]>NewsHCA Ranked Fortune&rsquo;s Most Admired Healthcare CompanyThu, 14 Mar 2013 16:08:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=465VeteransAtHCAHCA hits number one in the "Health Care: Medical Facilities" category in Fortune Magazine's March 18 edition of the "World's Most Admired Companies". This is our third consecutive year making the list at the number one spot for our category.

The rankings are derived from Fortune magazine's survey partner, Hay Group, who chooses 1400 of the largest U.S. companies ranked by revenue, non-U.S. companies with revenue of $10 billion or more and the top foreign companies operating in the U.S.

Those companies are then separated into their respective industries and executives, directors and analysts are asked to rank companies in their own industry based on nine criteria:

Innovation

People management

Use of corporate assets

Social responsibility

Quality of management

Financial soundness

Long-term investment

Quality of products/services

Global competitiveness

Since healthcare's inclusion in the rankings in 2000, excluding 2005 when the industry was not ranked, HCA has made the top ten every time.

Click here for more details on the methodology used to create the list and here to view the complete 2013 rankings.

]]>NewsHCA One Of The World&rsquo;s Most Ethical Companies Fourth Year In A RowThu, 14 Mar 2013 11:08:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=463VeteransAtHCAHCA has done it again. For the fourth year in a row, we were declared "One of The World's Most Ethical Companies" by the Ethisphere Institute.

Ethisphere is a New York-based think tank dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility and anti-corruption.

The designation recognizes companies that go beyond making statements about doing business ethically and translate those words into action.

Ethisphere recognizes only those who promote ethical standards and practices internally and who exceed legal compliance minimums and shape future standards in their industry by introducing best practices.

"Behaving as an ethical business and bettering the human condition is both our culture and our daily goal," said Michael Neeb, President and Chief Executive Officer of HCA International, the group’s UK business.

“Winning this award four years in a row, reflects the dedication and hard work of our doctors, nurses, specialist technicians, in fact every individual in our business and I thank everyone here at HCA International for playing a part in achieving these high standards and winning this honor once again,” he added.

As you know, HCA is the largest healthcare provider in the country, but you not realize that we are also the largest non-governmental healthcare provider in the world, with six leading hospitals in London and twenty diagnostic and treatment centers in and around London and Manchester.

Hear what our Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Alan Yuseph, had to say.

While there is a current push in the country to get our former military back into the workforce, we do it for an entirely different reason. We know the value of hiring veterans.

Your dedication, your willingness to go the extra lengths to get a job done and your commitment to mission is exactly the caliber of person HCA wants on its team, as it aligns to our own sense of mission – to deliver the highest quality care to our patients.

As part of the Chamber of Commerce's "Hiring Our Heroes" initiative, HCA has helped locate employment opportunities from day one for both veterans and active-military spouses through job fairs across the country. We send recruiters to as many hiring fairs as possible across the 20 states in which we operate.

HCA also serves on the Veterans Employment Advisory Council (VEAC) which represents the largest council of private sector employers in the country who are setting up the standards of best practice in hiring veterans and easing you into the transition from military to a civilian life and workforce.

We understand the military lifestyle and that relocation happens. Part of our employee benefits involves relocation assistance in your expected transition so that you can remain in your chosen career. We try to offer as many choices as possible for you to maintain continued employment in your field within our network.

HCA is the nation's largest employer in healthcare with over 200,000 employees, and as we continue to grow with industry demand, we offer the widest range of opportunities for you to achieve a successful career.

Just some of the opportunities available to all branches of the military and for military spouses involve patient care roles, supply chain and logistics, IT, engineering and technical, administrative and managerial, sales, finance and accounting, environmental, plant ops, HR with many more beyond that.

HCA is also committed to your success for the long term. Beyond hiring, we offer all the assistance you may require for any needs that arise along the way. We have expanded our current Employee Assistance Program to include and meet the specific needs of our veteran workforce to help overcome all obstacles that could hinder you from a rewarding career.

Currently there are some 4400 veterans in the HCA family network of affiliate hospitals, outpatient and diagnostic centers, physician and business offices.

In its twentieth annual run, the list recognizes 100 high-scoring hospitals from a field of nearly 3,000 based on measures of overall organizational performance including patient care, operational efficiency and financial stability.

Winners are decided by analyzing public available claims data from the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) dataset, the CMS' Hospital Compare database and Medicare cost reports.

Eligible facilities are divided into five categories comprised of major teaching hospitals, teaching hospitals, and large, medium and small community hospitals.

Within each of those five categories, hospitals are evaluated against their peers on 14 measures, such as 30-day mortality for heart failure, inpatient expense per discharge, complications and patient experience.

To make the 100 Top Hospitals list, hospitals must rank above their peers on a composite score of all 14 measures and score above the median for each measure.

The HCA winners this year have won previously, some with quite a run. Beside each name is the number of times the facility has won in previous years.

For 2013, the facility winners are:

Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Sarasota, Fla. (2)

Gulf Coast Medical Center, Panama City, Fla. (4)

Kendall Regional Medical Center, Miami, Fla. (8)

Lakeview Hospital, Bountiful, Utah (3)

Ocala Regional Medical Center, Ocala, Fla. (3)

Ogden Regional Medical Center, Ogden, Utah (3)

Rose Medical Center, Denver, Colo. (6)

St. David’s Medical Center, Austin, Texas (4)

St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, Austin, Texas (2)

TriStar Skyline Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn. (2)

Commenting on the recognition, Jonathon Perlin, MD, PhD, MSHA, FACP, FACMI, President, Clinical and Physician Services, and Chief Medical Officer said, "HCA’s 100 Top Hospitals recipients make us proud, not only for the work they’ve accomplished during the survey period, but for sustaining superior performance. They are providing the highest quality care, in the safest and most efficient manner, maintaining top financial stability, while being rated well by their patients. This performance ultimately goes beyond being list-worthy, as each facility shares best practices for the benefit of all hospitals."

Also among the top 100, Truven compiled an annual list of Everest Award winners. The Everest Award recognizes a subset of hospitals that have also met a national target for rate of improvement over five consecutive years.

Among the HCA Everest winners were Doctors Hospital of Sarasota and Lakeview Hospital. There were 17 awards in all.

]]>NewsHCA Invites Our Military Spouses To Find A New Career In Health CareThu, 14 Feb 2013 10:16:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=434VeteransAtHCAPlease join us on February 21st at NAS Jacksonville, Florida to find your next career in health care with HCA.

HCA understands the multiple challenges military spouses face with employment and upward mobility that others don't. As military families tend to move every three years it is hard to secure employment with most companies.

HCA is committed to partnering with the Chamber of Commerce and the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Employment Program to help our military spouses overcome the challenges associated with frequent relocation.

The event will be held on February 21, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. at The River Cove Conference Center Bldg 10 Mustin Road NAS Jacksonville, FL

The event is free and is a one-of -a-kind hiring fair for military spouse job seekers. So come join us and see what opportunities HCA has for you.

We look forward to seeing you there.

]]>EventsHCA Has Jobs For Veterans Returning To Civilian LifeFri, 01 Feb 2013 10:15:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=423VeteransAtHCAIn 2011, the jobless rate for veterans topped 8.3%. Active duty veterans serving since 2001 had an even higher unemployment rate at 12.1%. Though those numbers are a percentage point or two lower for 2012, it still equates to around 300,000 veterans looking for work in 2013.

HCA recognizes the opportunity in these numbers and knows how to get our transitioning and out-of-work military back into the civilian workforce.

Through our commitment and desire to give back to the heroes that have served to protect us, we honor our veteran population with opportunity seldom afforded elsewhere.

HCA has over 7,000 requisitions available in health care and we actively promote these opportunities through job fairs across the country for our retiring military returning to civilian life, veterans with current civilian work experience, National Guard members and reserve forces, military spouses and other members of military families.

We participate in job fairs consistently throughout the year, recruiting those veterans interested in pursuing careers in health care.

We hope that you will join us at our next job fair in San Antonio, Texas on February 14 at the Alamodome. You can find more information on this opportunity here.

This is a free event for all to attend. Don't miss out, register now. We look forward to seeing you there.

In addition to the Alamodome event in San Antonio, HCA will attend a hiring fair on the same day, February 14, between 1PM and 4PM at the National Guard Regional Training Institute, Building 500 on 7th Ave. in Smyrna, Tennessee.

This event is also free for all to attend, but you must pre-register by calling the TN ESGR office at 1-615-313-0752. Our recruiters will be there to share information about a career in health care with HCA.

]]>EventsJob Fair For Veterans Being Held At LP Field TodayThu, 24 Jan 2013 08:14:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=416VeteransAtHCAHCA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is holding a job fair for military veterans and their spouses today in Nashville.

If you are a military veteran or active duty personnel in the area looking to move back into the civilian workforce, we invite you to attend.

]]>EventsHCA Makes Top 25 Military Friendly Spouse EmployersTue, 20 Nov 2012 09:29:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=378VeteransAtHCAWhen Military Spouse began tracking Military Spouse-Friendly Employers six years ago, they found that not many companies considered it a categorical workforce. This has changed dramatically since then and despite current economic conditions, corporate employers are positioning themselves to hire more veterans' spouses and spouses of transitioning military personnel.

"So many companies today avidly recruit this trusted and valuable workforce," said Babette Maxwell, co-founder and executive editor of Military Spouse. "Military spouses are experts at multi-tasking and thriving under pressure, and they are a highly educated and mobile workforce."

The sixth annual Military Friendly list recognizes those companies which hire spouses of active duty service members, and make an effort to develop hiring and workforce development policies that acknowledge the unique challenges of military life.

One of those companies is HCA.

It is our first time on the list, but HCA came out strong, landing the number 11 position out of the 25 chosen companies.

HCA not only made the Top 25 Military Friendly Spouse Employers list (to be featured in both G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse Magazine in December) but will also be highlighted in the January G.I. Jobs issue where we will be recognized for our Military Friendly Employers Designation.

To qualify for the Top 25 list, a company has to satisfy three questions that addressed spouses’ biggest concerns:

Which companies provide time off for spouses when their service member is deployed?

Which companies offer flexibility for spouses who are managing the nuances of military life?

Which companies work to keep spouses employed when they inevitably have to relocate?

HCA has over 7000 open requisitions in hospitals, diagnostic, outpatient and business operations across 20 states in the U.S. with relocation services to help you find employment in your desired area. We encourage all veterans' spouses and spouses of active service members to seek a career with HCA.

Military Spouse magazine is the leading national magazine and online destination for the nation's 1.1 million current and 20 million former military spouses.

G.I. Jobs magazine is the premier publication for transitioning military. It provides education, transition assistance, and job opportunities for transitioning military looking for civilian careers and employment.

]]>VeteransVeterans Receive 'Expressions of Thanks' From Students For Veteran's DayMon, 19 Nov 2012 10:41:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=375VeteransAtHCALast year on Veteran's Day Medical Center of Trinity held their first flag raising ceremony to pay tribute to active and retired military personnel. Congressman Gus Bilirakis gave the keynote speech and the flag was raised by the veterans of Rolling Thunder followed by the Mitchell High School Jazz Band's performance of the national anthem.

It was a great turnout, attended by community and veterans of all ages, and the event sparked the idea for an annual celebration.

This year, the hospital is taking a different approach to Veteran's Day by holding a youth art contest in their first annual "Expressions of Thanks".

The contest includes art submitted by students from kindergarten to high school and runs until November 30, 2012.

Each participant will receive a recognition certificate. First-place winners in each grade level will receive a $25 gift card. The grand prize winner will receive the choice of either a bicycle or an iPod.

We are hoping to get many great pieces of art – and hope you enjoy one of our early submissions from first-grader, Cameron G.

Rules for the contest are as follows:

Students submitting artwork, poem or essay must be in grades K-12

Artwork must fit on an 8½” x 11” sheet of white paper

Artwork must be original and hand drawn/written

Students are allowed to use color with paint, pens, pencils, crayons and markers

Artwork should depict student’s idea of saying “Thank you to Veterans and members of the military”

No internet art, clipart or cut outs

Artwork must have the student’s name, grade and the name of the school printed clearly on the back

]]>NewsHCA, One Of The Best Places To Work In HealthcareWed, 31 Oct 2012 10:23:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=362VeteransAtHCADraped down the face of the Nashville campus headquarters, HCA proudly displays a Computerworld banner labeling the corporation as one of the country's best places to work.

And now, a new $200M midtown investment to expand the presence of HCA in middle Nashville will bring 1000 new jobs to the area.

]]>NewsThe 2013 EDP Application Cycle Is Now OpenMon, 01 Oct 2012 10:06:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=347VeteransAtHCAIt's official! Applications for the 2013 COO/CNO Development program are now being accepted.

Veterans and active duty personnel who are geographically flexible, have a proven track record of superior leadership and are interested in an executive role as Chief Nursing or Chief Operating Officer with HCA, the Executive Development program is your career path to success.

The Executive Development Program provides the necessary foundation for a successful career as an administrative leader at HCA.

Those selected will go on to become full-time Associate Administrators, trained in best practices and mentored to develop critical skills and competencies specific to HCA leadership.

How Candidates Are Selected

The application process is a five-phase operation beginning in the fourth quarter of every calendar year and extending through the first or second quarter of the following year. Here's what you can expect for the 2013 cycle:

Phase 1: October 1, 2012 – January 4, 2013. Online applications submitted with a current resume and two professional or academic references who can attest to your leadership potential.

Phase 2: January. Phase 2 requires completion of a comprehensive leadership assessment by the two references provided in your application.

Phase 3: February. Those moving to Phase 3 will be scheduled for a video conference interview with a member of the executive development team.

Phase 4: March. Selected applicants are scheduled for a live panel interview at HCA's corporate office in Nashville, Tennessee.

]]>NewsThe 2013 Application Cycle For Executive Development Starts SoonMon, 17 Sep 2012 10:05:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=339VeteransAtHCAThe 2013 Executive Program for CNO/COO Development is about to get underway.

The program is designed to attract and build a strong, diverse source of leadership professionals to meet HCA's current and future needs in healthcare.

If you are geographically flexible, have a proven track record of superior leadership and are looking to advance your career with HCA, you will have the opportunity to submit an application between October 1, 2012 and January 4, 2013.

Executive Development is opened to all veterans and active duty personnel transitioning back into the civilian workforce.

Applicants for the CNO track must be current HCA employees. You can check other eligibility requirements for both program tracks here.

The five phase application process extends into April 2013 where final candidates will receive offers of employment in Associate roles.

Only the "Best of the Best" are selected!

The Executive Development Program is where the most talented are groomed for successful careers in healthcare leadership.

As a full-time Associate Administrator you will receive training in best-practice expertise and will be mentored for executive leadership at HCA.

]]>NewsRio Grande Regional Hospital Skypes Birth To SoldierTue, 14 Aug 2012 10:32:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=122VeteransAtHCABaby Arianny Kaley was due to arrive in the world via Cesarean on July 19. The only problem was that her father, Army Specialist James Daniel Flores, was stationed in Afghanistan and could not be there to welcome her.

That was no deterrent for Arianny's mother, Consuelo Flores, though. She decided to find a facility that would live stream the event over Skype so that she and her husband could share the birth of their child.

"I had made up my mind I was only going to have my baby at a hospital that could facilitate streaming my C-section via Skype," said Mrs. Flores. "My husband misses out on so many important events because he is overseas and I did not want him to miss out on the birth of our daughter."

Director of Labor and Delivery at RGRH, Nadine Barnes said she didn't quite know how to set up Skype for the event but said, "as long as everyone agrees, we will find a way to make it happen!"

After a quick call to the information technology and services (IT&S) team, things were underway.

And at noon that Thursday, weighing in at a healthy six pounds fifteen ounces, James Daniel Flores got to see and hear his daughter's first moments in the world over a live stream from thousands of miles away.

"I am proud of the due diligence set forth by the staff members of the IT&S department," said Greg Seiler, Chief Executive Officer of RGRH. "They worked nonstop to make it happen. Everyone understood the importance of making this a priority for our patient and her family."

"I am very thankful to the hospital," said Mrs. Flores. "It means the world to my husband and me."

Today, healthy mom and baby Arianny are resting comfortably and awaiting the day when daddy will be home.

]]>InspirationalMissing Man Table Finds Permanent Home At Medical Center Of TrinityFri, 04 May 2012 17:25:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=105VeteransAtHCAIt seems like the last place you would find a military memorial, but Medical Center of Trinity of HCA's West Florida Division permanently established a Missing Man Table in its lobby to honor U.S. military prisoners of war and those missing in action.

The tribute is part of an oath the hospital administration made on Veteran's Day last fall to area veterans groups who participated in the hospital's dedication service and first-ever flag raising at its new location.

“We said then we wanted a permanent place to honor our veterans and it’s with great honor we are doing so today,” said Leigh Massengill, chief executive officer of Medical Center of Trinity.

The Missing Man Table Ceremony, a symbolic reminder of MIA/POW personnel who've never returned home, was conducted by Florida Director of Rolling Thunder, James "Moe" Moyer.

Among the participants was hospital staff, local veterans and their families and area veterans groups, including students from the Junior ROTC program at Mitchell High School, USO Tampa Bay and Rolling Thunder, a non-profit group of Vietnam veterans dedicated to raising awareness of MIA/POW issues.

HCA was one of sixty nine organizers at the recent Hiring Our Heroes/Recruit Military Opportunity Expo in Irving, Texas March 1, 2012 and we saw more than 1000 veteran and military spouses attend the event.

The veteran hiring effort in Irving was just one of the many events that HCA is participating in across its twenty-state network. We have events planned into May 2012 where our recruiters will continue to share information about all veteran opportunities.

HCA has over 4000 veteran hires to date and opportunities are growing. We encourage all of our veterans to make the transition to the civilian workforce with a career at HCA.

Please take a few minutes to check out the great media coverage of the March 1 event in the following links, which include video shots and interviews with veterans and recruiters:

Melissa Swierczek Balances Motherhood, Marriage, Nursing And Her Role As An Air Force Reservist

When Melissa Swierczek reports for duty, it could be as a mother of five, wife to Thomas, registered nurse at Lee’s Summit Medical Center, or third generation military, serving in the United States Air Force Reserve. But whichever job Swierczek is performing, you can bet she is being the absolute best she can be.

That’s just the way she rolls.

Swierczek, a Kansas City, Mo., resident since March 2006, isn’t from anywhere in particular; rather, she’s from everywhere. Her father, James Tennant, retired from a distinguished Air Force career in 1990 at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Neb. Typical of any career officer, he kept his family moving from base to base every couple of years. Swierczek says the lifestyle may appear transitory to some, but was a priceless experience that gave her an opportunity to develop close bonds with people being raised with the same goal: unity and integrity of service.

“Growing up in the military, everyone takes care of everyone else, regardless if you’re the new family or kid on the base,” says Swierczek. “I grew up with that philosophy, and it has served me well as an adult, whether I’m working at the hospital or as a reservist.”

Nancy Melcher, BSN, MBA, chief nursing officer at Lee’s Summit Medical Center, says Swierczek’s dual roles focus on patient-focused care. “Melissa provides excellent nursing care to her patients,” says Melcher. “It is wonderful that she can share her talents in providing that care not only here at Lee’s Summit Medical Center, but in her military role as well.”

Swierczek decided to enter the Air Force Reserve a little more than a year ago, saying it was time to give back to her country. It was a poignant moment for daughter and father: Tennant, a veteran of the Korean War, commissioned her.

“I always knew that someday I would be in the military, I just didn’t know in what capacity and at what point in my life,” says Swierczek, whose grandfather was also a veteran, a U.S. Marine Corp corporal who lost an arm during World War II.

During the past year Swierczek has attended trauma training in Scottsdale, Ariz., and recently returned from Washington, D.C. She serves once a month in the reserves as a lieutenant, acting as a Veterans Administration liaison and establishes training opportunities for medics. In addition, she is in charge of safety, infection control and immunizations in her squadron, all of which enhance her role as a medical surgical telemetry nurse at Lee’s Summit Medical Center.

“What I do in the Air Force complements my job at Lee’s Summit Medical Center,” says Swierczek, who enjoys her work with patients. “It’s all about positive outcomes.”

Debbie Anglemyer, RN, BSN, MSM, associate chief nursing officer and interim director of quality at Lee’s Summit Medical Center, says the skill and compassion Swierczek demonstrates for her patients translates to her military role. “She uses those same skills to provide care to our enlisted countrymen, teach in the reserves and serve her country,” says Anglemyer.

The Swierczeks’ five children range in age from 6 year-old identical twin girls to a 7 year-old daughter, and 9 and 10 year-old sons. One of the obvious challenges of Swierczek’s multiple jobs is organizing the household, a task in which Thomas, an analyst at the Federal Reserve, is an equal partner. The couple has a system in place, which includes color coding backpacks and charting out activities and carpooling.

“And luckily, we’re surrounded by people who support us,” says Swierczek.

Swierczek knows that there is a strategic plan in place for her inevitable deployment for active duty, something she looks forward to.

“I’m ready in a second,” she says.

As a mother, Swierczek says her heart breaks knowing that she will miss some important moment in her children’s lives, but the officer in her has a plan. The pride that her kids have for their mother’s military service makes Swierczek choke up for a moment.

“Sometimes they’ll introduce me as a solider before they say ‘mommy’ or ‘nurse,’” says Swierczek. “But they count the hours and minutes down to when I come home from a reservist weekend or another trip.”

And no doubt, this mom, wife, registered nurse, and U.S. Air Force Reserve lieutenant counts down those precious minutes, too.

]]>InspirationalHappy Holidays To Our VeteransMon, 19 Dec 2011 13:48:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=69VeteransAtHCATo those who served and who continue to serve our country, who sacrificed their own safety to keep us secure and protect our freedoms, HCA extends our sincerest thanks and appreciation and the best of holiday wishes to all of our military veterans and active duty personnel. We hope that you have a wonderful and prosperous New Year.

Please enjoy the following video recorded by Derek and Courtney Whitis, who decorated their home to raise support and awareness for our veterans and the Semper Fi Fund. Derek says it took one month, some heavy machinery, 7 laborers, and 170,000 lights to get their house ready for prime time.

]]>InspirationalA Tiger Deployed To Iraq?Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:42:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=68VeteransAtHCAIn a touching story of compassion, Dr. Cobb of TriStar Medical Group Family Physicians shares the story of a Bengal tiger named "Tingle "and how it transformed a Blackhawk pilot's experience in Iraq.

The pilot is U.S. Army helicopter pilot Steven Todd, a former patient of Dr. Cobb's. On hearing of Steven's deployment to the Middle East, Cobb presented his former patient with a toy Bengal tiger his daughter named "Tingle" as she couldn't pronounce Bengal.

Major Todd kept Tingle in the dashboard of his Blackhawk helicopter and, at the behest of his crew, Tingle went on every mission during Todd's deployment.

Here are some photos the major and his crew took of Tingle aboard the Blackhawk.

]]>InspirationalWounded Warrior Sgt. Scott Stephenson Reaches Out To Help Other VetsFri, 09 Dec 2011 09:19:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=65VeteransAtHCARetired Army Sgt. Scott Stephenson was severely injured after only a month of serving in Iraq back in November 2006. The Humvee he was riding in struck a roadside bomb which instantly ripped through the rear passenger seat where he was sitting. Stephenson suffered 3rd and 4th degree burns over 66% of his body, an amputated lower left leg and a nearly amputated left arm that has rendered both arm and hand incapacitated.

It happened two days after Thanksgiving and everyone in the vehicle, but Scott, survived with minor injuries. He walks now with a prosthetic limb, but says the achievements of his recovery were less about his injuries, and more about overcoming fear, prejudice and depression.

For many returning veterans, disfiguring injuries complicate their readjustment to civilian life as most are met with disconcerting reactions by the public.

To help break down the barriers that stand between injured veterans and the civilians who only see their scars, Stephenson and his mother developed Tempered Steel, The Stories Behind The Scars And Wounds Of War, a public charity and website dedicated to creating an environment of support for severely wounded veterans and to educating the public on the effects the soldiers' disfigurements have on their lives.

HCA was able to interview Scott after he shared his own story at our corporate office last month. Read the story here.

]]>InspirationalDiscover A New Career With VeteransAtHCAWed, 07 Dec 2011 19:00:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=62VeteransAtHCA

With today's launching of VeteransAtHCA, HCA shows it is dedicated to hiring veterans and active duty personnel as part of a national campaign aligned with the Chamber of Commerce's Hiring Our Heroes program. The website details our hiring initiative to help military veterans transition back into civilian employment by extending opportunities requisitioned by our HCA affiliates.

To help get the initiative under way, we have set up several hiring fairs in 20 states running from December 2011 to May of 2012. HCA recruiters will be travelling city to city sharing information about all veteran career opportunities.

The events listed below are open to veterans of all service branches, transitioning military and National Guard and Reserve members.

We encourage all of our veterans to discover their next private sector career at HCA.

]]>VeteransHCA's Campaign To Hire Veterans And The VEAC InitiativeWed, 07 Dec 2011 08:56:00 -0500http://www.veteransathca.com/Blog/Index.aspx?postid=61VeteransAtHCAThere's a nationwide campaign underway right now to help the one million plus unemployed military veterans make the transition back into the civilian workforce. Initiating the transition, however, is often a difficult task because veteran skills don't always translate well to the private sector. Nonetheless, HCA has initiated its own hiring campaign, and has over 4400 veterans already employed across the country.

One positive takeaway from hiring veterans is that their disciplined nature and experience as team players enable them to work efficiently and productively in challenging environments.

Currently the unemployment rate of our veterans is over 11.7%.

Our internal veteran-focused hiring program is designed to understand the military experience so that managers and recruiters can better ascertain which opportunities veterans would be best suited for meaningful employment at HCA.

Earlier this month we held a parade at our corporate campus in Nashville to honor all of HCA's currently employed veterans. Here's a short video excerpt of that event.

In addition to its own initiative, HCA has been named to the U.S Chamber of Commerce's private sector Veterans Employment Advisory Council (VEAC) along with some of the largest employers across several industries in the country as part of the Chamber's "Hiring Our Heroes" program. [Read more about our involvement].

We are planning on participating in numerous job fairs for veterans this year and in early 2012. Coming up in our schedule of participatory events is the December 8 Veteran Opportunity Expo at Minute Maid Park, Home of the Houston Astros in Houston, Texas. The event runs from 11:30AM to 3:00PM.

This is just one of 100 hiring fairs for veterans and military spouses scheduled by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and produced by RecruitMilitary and The American Legion.

HCA is proud to be part of the "Hiring Our Heroes" campaign. We have over 7,000 positions in the company country-wide waiting to be filled.